Seven student teams awarded social impact funding
- 3 min. read ▪ Published
The UC Berkeley School of Public Health social impact team is thrilled to announce the seven student teams selected for the second Social Impact Innovation Program (SIIP) cohort. Each team will receive up to $15,000 to work with community partners to develop and implement innovative solutions to pressing public health challenges.
Supported by a generous gift from Kathy Chiao and Ken Hao, the program supports the next generation of innovative and equity-centered public health leaders in their changemaking and social impact journeys.
“This program is a unique and dynamic platform for students to turn ideas into action, learn by doing, and build entrepreneurship skills focused on impact,” said Claudia Williams, chief social impact officer at UC Berkeley School of Public Health.
MPH student Richa Ruwala is leading one of the SIIP projects, Richmond Ending Violence, empowering the Richmond community to address gender-based violence through coalition-building and a community ambassador program. “Ending gender-based violence can lead to long-term benefits,” says Ruwala, “including stronger and safer communities and increased economic stability.”
Nelson Lin, a student in the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program, is leading Happy Kitchen, a culturally tailored cooking program for Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants at a federally qualified health center in Oakland, California.
Agere Teshale, an MPH student, will lead Voices of the Womb, an interactive art exhibit spotlighting the diverse experiences of the Black birthing community through interviews and photography. “This exhibit honors the strength, support and empowerment of black birthing parents,” shared Teshale.
“The students bring a wealth of creativity and passion to the program, developing bold and innovative solutions across the field of public health,” said Kelly Horan, manager of social impact innovation programs at the School of Public Health.
The seven funded SIIP projects are:
- Advancing Resources for Caruthers through Health (ARCH) is organizing a series of health and wellness workshops for families in the rural community of Caruthers, CA. Team Lead: Hope Delgado, Online MPH Student
- Happy Kitchen is leading a culturally tailored cooking program for Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants at a federally qualified health center in Oakland, California. Team Lead: Nelson Lin, MD/MS Student, UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program.
- ida will prototype a small, safe, and reusable cup for menstruation, eliminating the need to remember, repurchase, replace, or adjust products, and significantly improving the quality of life for menstruators. Team Lead: Hanji Xu, Undergraduate Student, Cognitive Science
- Richmond Ending Violence is empowering the Richmond community to address gender-based violence through coalition-building and a community ambassador program. Team lead: Richa Ruwala, MPH Student
- The Safety League will collaborate with Navajo Nation to establish a new safety training program for uranium mine remediation based on worker-identified hazards and community concerns. Team Lead: Giana Medina, Undergraduate Student, Public Health
- Stronger Together will launch culturally responsive advocacy training for students and community mental health workers supporting underserved Asian American communities in Northern California. Team lead: Anya Fang, MPH Student
- Voices of the Womb will create an interactive photo exhibit spotlighting the diverse experiences of the Black birthing community through interviews and photography. Team lead: Agere Teshale, MPH Student